Josh Biringer: Metro Rival Analysis

Rangers going all the way this season

New Spittin' Chiclets episode with Fitz as their guest. Pretty good listen if you guys get a chance!

Congrats Josh! Don’t worry about not posting often. You’ve got bigger things to deal with. You’re infinitely better than the last “writer” we had.

The Karlsson trade was stupid. I know they’re trying to go all in for this year but it’s still a dumb trade.

1) They already have plenty of what EK65 brings.

2) They took on almost the full salary. $10M AAV for 4 years. Spending about 1/8 of the salary cap on 1 dude. They’re gonna be struggling to keep a good team AND resign Sid in 2 years.

3) Most important, Jarry is garbage! That should’ve been Dubas’ top priority.

4) EK was absolute poop in SJ 4 of his 5 years there. He had a fluke season last year and was already due for a massive regression. He’s 33 and getting older, highly unlikely he’s going to continue racking up record setting seasons.

I hate the Pens so I’m glad they did this, but for them this was a stupid move.

Lot of tough division matchups this season. It's nice that they've changed the schedule to play all the teams in the league though.

Tough division…. But once stillmans up itll be easy sailing

The Karlsson trade was stupid. I know they’re trying to go all in for this year but it’s still a dumb trade.

1) They already have plenty of what EK65 brings.

2) They took on almost the full salary. $10M AAV for 4 years. Spending about 1/8 of the salary cap on 1 dude. They’re gonna be struggling to keep a good team AND resign Sid in 2 years.

3) Most important, Jarry is garbage! That should’ve been Dubas’ top priority.

4) EK was absolute poop in SJ 4 of his 5 years there. He had a fluke season last year and was already due for a massive regression. He’s 33 and getting older, highly unlikely he’s going to continue racking up record setting seasons.

I hate the Pens so I’m glad they did this, but for them this was a stupid move.
- jtylerm

I'm a Pens fan and I couldn't disagree with this take more. The contract, I don't think is of concern. The plan is to make one final push with this core and then do a rebuild proper. Bad contracts won't matter in a few years when the team is destined to be in the cellar. And when that happens, that's fine and I'm sure the Pens will try to build a rebuild through top draft picks.

The Penguins finally seem aligned on their vision between the coaching staff and GM. That vision is to play a speed game - high octane hockey. Having Letang or Karlsson on the ice 50 minutes per game will help that. Karlsson should also IMMENSELY help a disappointing Pens power play, and that alone could be the difference of a few wins and maybe even a playoff series win. EK will be RD2, so he should in theory be shielded somewhat from top offensive players if Sullivan is playing matchups.

I'm not convinced this makes the Pens a cup contender or even a favorite in the Metro, but Dubas is doing a great job changing this team on the fly and if they're in a playoff position maybe a few more tweaks are made at the trade deadline.

If the Pens don't win, it's going to at least be fun to watch. So I'm all for this move.

EDIT: OK I take some of my first sentence back, I did NOT like the Jarry contract or really even the signing. It was time for a new direction there IMO.

I don't think the division will be much different than last season. I think theres a few tiers within the division:

-Clear top 2 with the Canes and Devils.

-Rangers safely in 3rd and can push for a top 2 spot if Shesterkin is otherworldly.

-Pens and Isles will be in the mix for the wildcard, but I dont think their ceiling is much higher than just being in it.

-Flyers and Caps are just flat out bad and will be picking top 10 in the draft.

-Jackets are the interesting one. They're gonna be good in a few years, but I can see them being a tough team to play against this year depending on if Elvis can give them league average or better goaltending, like he has every year in the league except last year. Not sure if they get into the wildcard race but they should be fun to watch and are certainly improved from last year.

Josh Biringer: Metro Rival Analysis
- Josh Biringer

Thank you for all you do and go spend time with family and not worry about HB

I don't think the division will be much different than last season. I think theres a few tiers within the division:

-Clear top 2 with the Canes and Devils.

-Rangers safely in 3rd and can push for a top 2 spot if Shesterkin is otherworldly.

-Pens and Isles will be in the mix for the wildcard, but I dont think their ceiling is much higher than just being in it.

-Flyers and Caps are just flat out bad and will be picking top 10 in the draft.

-Jackets are the interesting one. They're gonna be good in a few years, but I can see them being a tough team to play against this year depending on if Elvis can give them league average or better goaltending, like he has every year in the league except last year. Not sure if they get into the wildcard race but they should be fun to watch and are certainly improved from last year.
- vlongo4419

The only concerns I have with the devils is goaltending, defense and health

Vitek should be ok but will we get 1st half or 2nd half where he dropped off some and will Schmid be reliable. We saw some promise but that wasn't over a full season

Defense with Luke Hughes the offense will be there but it's the D that will need to be worked on and if Nemec makes the roster that's 2 young rookies so there will be moments where there will be mistakes

Health is always a concern, if we stay relatively healthy should be good

I hope they pair Karlsson with Graves. Maybe that would show how much Marino carried Graves this past season.

The Karlsson trade was stupid. I know they’re trying to go all in for this year but it’s still a dumb trade.

1) They already have plenty of what EK65 brings.

2) They took on almost the full salary. $10M AAV for 4 years. Spending about 1/8 of the salary cap on 1 dude. They’re gonna be struggling to keep a good team AND resign Sid in 2 years.

3) Most important, Jarry is garbage! That should’ve been Dubas’ top priority.

4) EK was absolute poop in SJ 4 of his 5 years there. He had a fluke season last year and was already due for a massive regression. He’s 33 and getting older, highly unlikely he’s going to continue racking up record setting seasons.

I hate the Pens so I’m glad they did this, but for them this was a stupid move.
- jtylerm

1) You clearly havent watched the Penguins play 5 on 5.

2) Resigning Sid will be the easiest thing the Penguins have done. The salary cap is going up next year and from there. And the Penguins core still costs less than many other teams' cores.

3) You're right, that was a disappointing moves, but the Penguins ability to upgrade at goalie was limited. It was more important to have a good 1A and 1B.

4) It's unlikely he gets 100 points and another Norris trophy, I agree. But I highly doubt he falls off a cliff, especially in Year 1 and 2 with the Penguins.

The Penguins made this move because of its risk/reward. If karlsson sucks, then he sucks. Our core's time is largely over. If the Penguins enter March healthy and with good goaltending, I'd believe heavily in this team over many other teams in the Metro.

I'd believe heavily in this team over many other teams in the Metro.
- SuperHenderson13

If they could make this dumbass move for EK65, then they could’ve afforded Hellebuyck which would’ve lifted the team into playoff relevancy waaaaaaaay more than a d-man who’s just gonna put up another 60-70 pts.

Many other teams in the metro? The Pens are better than maybe 1-2 teams in the division. Gtfoh with that homer nonsense 🙄

If they could make this dumbass move for EK65, then they could’ve afforded Hellebuyck which would’ve lifted the team into playoff relevancy waaaaaaaay more than a d-man who’s just gonna put up another 60-70 pts.

Many other teams in the metro? The Pens are better than maybe 1-2 teams in the division. Gtfoh with that homer nonsense 🙄
- jtylerm

Amazing how much 1 good season has gone to your head.

Dont you think its a bit odd that no one has traded for Hellebuyck despite many teams, including your own, that need a top goalie?

It's because the game has become much more about a good 1A and 1B goalie tandem. Teams would rather spread out the cost over 2 solid goalies than 1 elite one. The rumor is Hellebuyck wants $9M/season in his new deal. If you think a team should do that, good luck with that.

As I said, if the Penguins are healthy and Jarry is living up to expectations, I would 100% take the core that has shown they can win over some of the pretenders in the Metro. I would take the Penguins in a 7 game series in that situation over pretty much any team in the Metro except Carolina. I'd be a bit weary of the Devils, and would absolutely take my chances against the Rangers or Islanders.

I'm a Pens fan and I couldn't disagree with this take more. The contract, I don't think is of concern. The plan is to make one final push with this core and then do a rebuild proper. Bad contracts won't matter in a few years when the team is destined to be in the cellar. And when that happens, that's fine and I'm sure the Pens will try to build a rebuild through top draft picks.

The Penguins finally seem aligned on their vision between the coaching staff and GM. That vision is to play a speed game - high octane hockey. Having Letang or Karlsson on the ice 50 minutes per game will help that. Karlsson should also IMMENSELY help a disappointing Pens power play, and that alone could be the difference of a few wins and maybe even a playoff series win. EK will be RD2, so he should in theory be shielded somewhat from top offensive players if Sullivan is playing matchups.

I'm not convinced this makes the Pens a cup contender or even a favorite in the Metro, but Dubas is doing a great job changing this team on the fly and if they're in a playoff position maybe a few more tweaks are made at the trade deadline.

If the Pens don't win, it's going to at least be fun to watch. So I'm all for this move.

EDIT: OK I take some of my first sentence back, I did NOT like the Jarry contract or really even the signing. It was time for a new direction there IMO.
- mkrisnosky

I dont think the move makes Pens any kind of contender and at best a bubble playoff team. EK will likely go be a 60-70 pt guy and if you look at his last 5 yrs could be worse. Their goaltending flat out stinks and if anyone thinks the combo of Crosby..Malkin..EK..Letang are going to stay healthy is kidding themselves. It will likely make them more entertaining and that seems like the goal for most Pens fans

Amazing how much 1 good season has gone to your head.

Dont you think its a bit odd that no one has traded for Hellebuyck despite many teams, including your own, that need a top goalie?

It's because the game has become much more about a good 1A and 1B goalie tandem. Teams would rather spread out the cost over 2 solid goalies than 1 elite one. The rumor is Hellebuyck wants $9M/season in his new deal. If you think a team should do that, good luck with that.

As I said, if the Penguins are healthy and Jarry is living up to expectations, I would 100% take the core that has shown they can win over some of the pretenders in the Metro. I would take the Penguins in a 7 game series in that situation over pretty much any team in the Metro except Carolina. I'd be a bit weary of the Devils, and would absolutely take my chances against the Rangers or Islanders.
- SuperHenderson13

I think the Pens will still have a very hard time keeping up with the Devils, who I expect to be even a bit better this season. I think Canes and Devs are clearly the best two teams in the division. The thing is the Pens have have like 9 new players since last season's edition of the team haha so who knows for sure how its all going to shake out.

Amazing how much 1 good season has gone to your head.

Dont you think its a bit odd that no one has traded for Hellebuyck despite many teams, including your own, that need a top goalie?

It's because the game has become much more about a good 1A and 1B goalie tandem. Teams would rather spread out the cost over 2 solid goalies than 1 elite one. The rumor is Hellebuyck wants $9M/season in his new deal. If you think a team should do that, good luck with that.

As I said, if the Penguins are healthy and Jarry is living up to expectations, I would 100% take the core that has shown they can win over some of the pretenders in the Metro. I would take the Penguins in a 7 game series in that situation over pretty much any team in the Metro except Carolina. I'd be a bit weary of the Devils, and would absolutely take my chances against the Rangers or Islanders.
- SuperHenderson13

IF the Pens stay healthy..IF Jarry plays like an ALL STAR...2 huge IFS....Much more likely the combo of Crosby..EK..Letang..Malkin and Jarry miss significant playing time and when Jarry plays he plays like Jarry totally inconsistent

I dont think the move makes Pens any kind of contender and at best a bubble playoff team. EK will likely go be a 60-70 pt guy and if you look at his last 5 yrs could be worse. Their goaltending flat out stinks and if anyone thinks the combo of Crosby..Malkin..EK..Letang are going to stay healthy is kidding themselves. It will likely make them more entertaining and that seems like the goal for most Pens fans
- hfc355

Its pretty funny that you're a Rangers fan that doesn't post in the Rangers blog, doesn't post about the Rangers at all and only ever post about the Penguins in a negative way. They're living rent free in your brain.

congrats!!!!!

The Pens are in a MUCH bigger need of a goalie than we are. Hellebuyck knows he’s not getting $9M, but if the Pens are willing to spend $10M on a 60+ d-man, they should’ve been even more willing to spend $7-9M on a goalie. Jarry is no better than having an empty net!

That you think the Pens could beat even the Rangers says everything 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

The Pens are in a MUCH bigger need of a goalie than we are. Hellebuyck knows he’s not getting $9M, but if the Pens are willing to spend $10M on a 60+ d-man, they should’ve been even more willing to spend $7-9M on a goalie. Jarry is no better than having an empty net!

That you think the Pens could beat even the Rangers says everything 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
- jtylerm

But you havent answered my question of why no other team has stepped up to get Hellebuyck if he's so desperately needed.

You realize we took the Rangers to game 7 OT with our 3rd string goalie playing most of the series and Crosby missing game time in that series, right?

But you havent answered my question of why no other team has stepped up to get Hellebuyck if he's so desperately needed.

You realize we took the Rangers to game 7 OT with our 3rd string goalie playing most of the series and Crosby missing game time in that series, right?
- SuperHenderson13

You realize EVEN more recently, they didn’t even make the playoffs? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hellebuyck will be traded by the deadline. He won’t finish the season in Winnipeg.

You realize EVEN more recently, they didn’t even make the playoffs? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Hellebuyck will be traded by the deadline. He won’t finish the season in Winnipeg.
- jtylerm

You're right, that's why the moves made this summer have been about dumping that previous year team and getting back closer to that 2022 team.

But you havent answered my question of why no other team has stepped up to get Hellebuyck if he's so desperately needed.

You realize we took the Rangers to game 7 OT with our 3rd string goalie playing most of the series and Crosby missing game time in that series, right?
- SuperHenderson13

[More IFS...If Crosby and Jarry stayed healthy.. IF Jarry played like an All Star.. same with this year...face it Jarry stinks and the big 4 plus Jarry are rarely healthy[/img]